Millions of Happy Customers since 1993!

Menu

Category Archives: News

It’s National Wear Red Day! Not because it’s such a beautiful color, but rather because it’s a way to show support for the women who are taking action to protect their hearts and by extension, their lives!

They do this by reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol. They maintain a healthy weight by getting regular exercise and they do not smoke. All of these actions taken together go a long way toward decreasing the risk of developing heart disease.

Are you at risk of developing heart disease? The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute helps you find out.

A study of 44,500 people in England and Scotland showed vegetarians were 32% less likely to die or need hospital treatment as a result of heart disease.

Differences in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body weight are thought to be behind the health boost.

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Heart disease is a major blight in Western countries. It kills 94,000 people in the UK each year – more than any other disease, and 2.6 million people live with the condition.

The heart’s own blood supply becomes blocked up by fatty deposits in the arteries that nourish the heart muscle. It can cause angina or even lead to a heart attack if the blood vessels become completely blocked.

Dr Francesca Crowe said: “The main message is that diet is an important determinant of heart health, I’m not advocating that everyone eats a vegetarian diet.”

The results showed the vegetarians had lower blood pressure, lower levels of “bad” cholesterol and were more likely to have a healthy weight.

Tracy Parker, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “But remember, choosing the veggie option on the menu is not a shortcut to a healthy heart. After all, there are still plenty of foods suitable for vegetarians that are high in saturated fat and salt.”

The meal replacement shake is great for heart health because it’s nutritious, low in calories and provides a balance of quality whey protein, active enzymes, fiber, and other essential vitamins. It helps burn fat and maximize nutrient intake, preventing food cravings and overeating.

You figured out ways to soldier on with regularly scheduled sweat sessions despite a recent weather pattern that screams at you to surrender to the security of your most comfortable blanket.

You stick to your diet and remain ever mindful of what you eat; but somehow the weight loss just isn’t going as planned.

According to a new study published today in the International Journal of Obesity, when it comes to losing weight, the time you eat can have as much of an effect as what you eat. (Original article appears here.)

***

“We should start to consider meal timing in addition to calories and meal composition when thinking about weight loss.”

-Frank Scheer, senior author of the study, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and an associate neuroscientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

***

It’s definitely food for thought, and a welcome bit of news as far as we’re concerned. Who wants to put off that long-awaited lunch break anyway? After all, doing so is bad for your health!

The Stamina 4-Way Mini-Trampoline is just $49.17. An hour on it will cause a 150 lbs. adult to burn around 250 calories!!

The benefits of folic acid, or “folate” are numerous. So it’s unfortunate that such a large proportion of the population is deficient in this vital nutrient. Low levels of folic acid can lead to anemia, kidney and liver complications, etc., as well as an inability to absorb nutrients in general.

Folate enjoys wide consumption as a way to prevent certain types of cancers, heart issues, stroke, hearing and memory loss, gum infections, osteoporosis, depression and more. It’s been used as a treatment for alcoholism. Expectant mothers take it to prevent miscarriage and birth defects.

In a press release issued today, Barbara Griffin, NMD, CNC, Certified Gluten Practitioner, and owner of Vital Health, Inc. suggests “L-MethylFolate” to be the preferred form of folate ingestion due to long-standing absorption issues associated with other methods.

“L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF) is the predominate form of folate. L-5-MTHF is a reduced, metabolically active form of folate that occurs naturally in foods and is the primary form of folate found in the blood and tissues,” Griffin says in the report. “As a result, it is far more effective for people who have or are prone to a folic acid deficiency.”

Just as every rose has it’s thorn, so have there been reported downsides to adding folate to your vitamin regimen. Some studies have linked it to increasing the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Contrary evidence released today sheds a ray of hope on the subject. A study, conducted by Stein Emil Vollset, MD, from the University of Bergen in Norway, receives analysis in this Health.com article.

“The study provides reassurance about the safety of folic acid intake, either from supplements or through fortification, when taken for up to five years,” study author Robert Clarke, from the University of Oxford, said in a journal news release.

Bread: Folate rich since 1993. Click for info on the healthiest types. | Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

As with everything of nutritional value, folic acid is found in an assortment of fruits and veggies. For the past 15 years, federal law has required carb manufacturers to add folic acid—a water soluble ‘B’ vitamin—to their products. These days everything from flour, and breads, to pastas, cereals, cookies and crackers is flush with folate.

Still, there simply is no substitute for the real thing. Not only is folate obtained via natural foods more efficiently absorbed, but the risks associated with supplement intake is nullified.

The answer is “Yes” according to new research published today by the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study reports that these days women who smoke are at a much greater risk of dying from lung cancer than their predecessors. This is due to a growing parity in smoking habits among men and women over the years. Apparently today’s woman has come a long way baby as far as smoking younger and more often.

In fact, women have basically achieved equal opportunity when it comes to dying from smoke related diseases such as emphysema. If they continue on this tar and nicotine filled trajectory, they will surpass men… in a very unsavory way.

I don’t know about you, but I really don’t think this is the right way to go about achieving greater equality.

Let’s face it. These days, weight loss tops the list of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions. Of course many also hope to get a new job, better education, etc., However it seems that all but the conviction to shed a problematic fat suit is engulfed in the wake of the post-holiday surrender to reality.

Not that we are lazy or that we give up easily, it’s just that continuing on with the same job or level of education does not increase our risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, along with a whole host of serious health issues that are part of and parcel of being—and staying— overweight. (In other words, your physician will not peer at you from behind a furrowed brow of concern in response to your modest salary.)

Many of us view the debut of a new year as a solid, tangible break from the past that translates into a “break” from our old, unhealthy habits. It’s a whole new paradigm; another chance.

As we should. Depending on your disposition, you can either view the American obesity epidemic as discouraging or an opportunity for growth; *not* in the physical sense of course.

Percentages of Overweight Americans Ages 20+

More than two-thirds (68.8 percent) of adults are considered to be overweight or obese.

More than one-third (35.7 percent) of adults are considered to be obese.

More than 1 in 20 (6.3 percent) have extreme obesity.

Almost 3 in 4 men (74 percent) are considered to be overweight or obese.

The prevalence of obesity is similar for both men and women (about 36 percent).

Yesterday we wrote about some healthy weight findings that we found to be a little unorthodox: A recent study claims that those who carry a few extra pounds around have a lower risk of premature death than that of their healthy weight counterparts. The article does not address obesity however. A person is obese when their BMI (body mass index) is 30 percent or above.

This is a different story. An article in USA Today “weighs” in on the topic with the help of a few reputable physicians. The piece is a fitting follow-up to yesterday’s post. Plus it includes links to diet and exercise tips and information on how to lose weight by forming healthier habits.

Perhaps prompted by all the hyper-idealistic discussion about resolutions (which always inevitably revolve around diet and weight loss,) the Los Angeles Times recently reported that a few extra pounds is fine for your health.

I don’t know about you, but this news prompts in me a rare reaction of simultaneous shock and comfort. It evokes the former because it flies in the face of virtually everything else I’ve heard regarding weight and health for ohhh… my lifetime; a.k.a., more than the past thirty years.

It’s comforting because I am—like many of you I’m sure (hey, we’re Americans)—a few pounds overweight. I’m working on it though. My meticulously planned resolutions are on track now for three days and counting.

Regardless, the story is worth a gander. Plus the page features a Dr. Oz “Real Age” calculator. It’s smack dab in the middle of the story in the form of a Google Ad, but as far as ads go, you have to admit, it’s a good one. If you’ve never calculated your real age, it’s worth a go. It can be a real eye opening experience; and depending on your lifestyle, that can be either good or bad. You’ve been warned.

If this short series of bombshells are not enough for you, take heed. Solace comes in the form of another article listed off to the left of the page under “RELATED.” There is a link to a bit of news that ran in late December. It reports that running is actually a more effective way to shed pounds than weight training.

(Huh?) What is going on in this bizarro world of ours?

Personally, I’m happy about this one too. I like lifting weights, but through the years I have found a shortage of things in this world that that offer a greater sense of satisfaction and well-being than a good, hard, sweat-inducing, mind-wandering, run.

Not only does it promote a leaner body and a stronger heart, but it just as equally results in clarity of mind and an overall sense of calm.

Yes, that’s right. At the top of the list, accompanying Whitney Houston, Hurricane Sandy, Presidential Election, Kate Middleton, etc., as the most frequently searched terms this year, were “hemorrhoids,” according to Google’s annual “zeitgeist” report.

Analysts speculated that this could be due to the personal nature of the condition people prefer to cure hemorrhoids at home, rather than talk to their physician about it.

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that are found in and around the anus and lower rectum. They can be internal, which means inside the anus. Or, they may be external, which means they are found outside the anus.

ActiveForever is like a caring and protective mother, always on the lookout for your health, safety and well-being. Their fervent dedication to this mission solidifies their place on the cutting edge of all the newest products, developments and solutions for wellness.

For some time now, ActiveForever has had to resist a persistent demand to fully expand their operations to regular international shipping. They feared high incidences of fraud and complications in reconciling with international banks.

As the oldest and most trusted provider of health, fitness and safety products in the United States, ActiveForever offers very high service levels. They feared that would be diminished a bit with their international customers.

All that has changed, and they are thrilled to announce their new partnership with Bongo International. By joining forces with this industry leader in intelligent, eCommerce transactions, ActiveForever is properly equipped to provide their worldwide customers with a seamless, intuitive shopping experience.

“In the past, the international check-out process was convoluted and disparate,” said ActiveForever CEO and Chief Happiness Officer, Erika Feinberg. “The user had to visit a different website, create a separate account and allow a third-party company to place the order on their behalf.”

Now, regardless of whether an ActiveForever order is placed from France or Ohio, the check-out process is completed with little more than the click of a button.

The company has proven their ability to provide quality products worldwide, and are pleased to benefit their global customers with Bongo’s smart, simple, Check-out Solution.

“There is no longer a goofy process,” said Feinberg. “Now location is a non-issue, our customers simply check-out with no middleman and the order is received.”

Feinberg added that so far, the response has been remarkable.

“Our international customers seem thrilled that we’re making our product offering freely available to them with this easy process.”

ActiveForever has teamed up with Stroke-Network.com to address the issues surrounding Stroke recovery.

This week we discussed mobility aids for the different steps of the rehabilitation process. After all, you’ll never reach your recovery goals if you don’t keep moving.

The Carex Ultra Ride Rollator Transport Chair is versatile enough to accompany you through each step of the recovery process. $127.32

We carry an extensive line of Carexmobility products at the best prices in our Stroke and Neuro Rehab line. These products are smart, adaptable for different phases of progress, and created with the goal of progress in mind.

According to to the American Stroke Association, Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Although in recent years there have been increasing occurrences in younger adults as well.

Stroke kills more than 137,000 people a year. There are different types of Strokes, however a commonality is the fact that likelihood for survival and speedy recovery is increased exponentially with timely detection and treatment.

That’s why we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to raise awareness of the signs, symptoms, effects and issues, surrounding Stroke.

According to CNN.com Health, the rich sweet goodness in a cup is right up there when it comes to a winning winter diet. That’s some welcome news! Looks like we’re doing things right after all. So drink up, but you might want to hold off on the marshmallows… At ActiveForever, we’re always thinking about your health and ours, so thought we’d bring you this informational little blurb to start your day off right.

While we’ve got you in a health-oriented state of mind, be sure to check out our luxurious skin care products in honor of National Healthy Skin Month. There’s nothing like showing the harsh winter weather who’s boss by pampering your largest and arguably most precious organ this time of year. Women especially need to take heed as they have a thinner, drier dermis than that of their male counterparts. Barrier creams reinforce the skin’s natural shield and prevent precious moisture from exiting the skin’s surface.

‘Tis the season, so all of our winter products are moving fast, especially where attire is concerned. Our collection of heated and insulated clothing is material proof that you really can be stylish and comfortable at the same time.

Also, be sure to pick up your copy of our Essential Gifts catalog while supplies last!

Give the gift of health this season!

So, grab some walnuts, but just a few, (they are rich in fat,) the good fat, but still… and shop healthy!

There are a number of things that signify youth, health and beauty. Among them are glowing skin, bright clear eyes and firm, smooth nails. Of all of these factors however, the state of your crowning glory is perhaps the most obvious. The impact that a full head of hair has on a person’s looks is undeniable.

The advanced iGrow Laser Hair Rejuvenation System

Is this fair? Of course not. What about those who take impeccable care of themselves but just happen to have genetics working against them?

At one time, they’d have been either out of luck or confined to a questionable looking toupee or wig.

At ActiveForever we are thrilled to report that the iGrow Laser Hair Rejuvenation System has leveled the playing field for the follically challenged. Their unique, patent-pending combination of LED lights and low-level lasers has earned iGrowmedia attention. The effectiveness of this popular system has been scientifically proven, and a number of happy, healthy-haired heads publicly swear by it.

It’s not a hand-held device, but rather goes on like a helmet, so complete scalp coverage is effortless. Follicles are fattened as you sit, read, catch up on your favorite show, work on your laptop, etc., The innovative iGrow is also iPod and MP3 compatible so you can listen to your favorite music during your 25 minute session a few times a week.

It incorporates 5 pre-programmed modes for a customized session to meet the needs of each man and woman. After 10 to 12 weeks of regular use (or as directed) users can expect to see thicker, fuller, healthier looking hair.

The iGrow is one of ActiveForever’s hottest selling items and now it is 31 percent off.Free ground shipping is included if you order now.

Users rave bout the ease and painlessness of the iGrow system, claiming that it doesn’t cause discomfort like other hair-growth treatments. Now, with such a low price, neither your scalp or your wallet will feel the burn.